Ears opened to the Lord

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have opened; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Psalms 40:6

In Hebrew culture an indentured servant was required to work faithfully for his master for six years. In the seventh year, he was allowed to go free; but if he had a good master whom he had grown to love, then he could choose to stay in his master’s household. In that case, the servant’s ear was pierced, marking him as belonging to his master for life (Ex 21:2-6; Deut. 15:17).

This piercing (done with an awl into a wooden door) and the resultant scar have obvious significance as foreshadowings of the wounds Christ was willing to bear to be faithful to his Father's will and to serve and bless us.

David’s use of this image reveals his heart attitude toward his God (Ps 40:8). Not only has he voluntarily chosen to serve the Lord for life, but the ears that are pierced as a mark of ownership are also wide open to his master’s direction.

When we belong to the Lord, our delight is to be taught by him and to do his will (Isa 50:4-5).